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| ASTHMA, ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY | |
|---|---|
| Are we overloading our infants’ immune systems? | February 2002: Children today encounter far fewer antigenic compounds in the childhood immunization schedule than they did even 20 years ago. |
| Asthma guidelines update released | July 2002: Inhaled corticosteroids recommended as first-line therapy for children with persistent asthma. |
| Combination therapy is changing asthma treatment | February 2002: Long-acting ß-agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists and sustained-released theophylline all qualify for combination with inhaled corticosteroids. |
| Don’t let children rub their eyes! | May 2002: Eighty million people in the U. S. suffer from signs and symptoms of ocular allergies, but only a fraction use a prescribed treatment that could successfully combat their allergies. |
| First-year antibiotic use not predictive of atopic disease | September 2002: Previous retrospective studies have identified a link between antibiotic use in the first year of life and atopy in childhood. |
| Home characteristics increase indoor allergen levels | May 2002: Allergen concentrations in settled dust are significantly increased in families with pets, carpeting, stuffed toys and upholstered furniture. |
| A guide to neutropenia: diagnosing and treating a perplexing problem | March 2002: There are many reasons for neutropenia, including drug reactions, infections and immune system disorders. |
| Guidelines failed to affect clinicians’ management of asthma | July 2002: Inadequate marketing to physicians to blame; next revision may target parents for education rather than clinicians. |
| Mast cells play a role in ocular allergies | January 2002: Elevated levels of tryptase can be measured in tear fluid in various allergic diseases of the eye. |
| Pediatric asthma: early diagnosis, treatment key | February 2002: Physicians need to begin aggressive treatment once asthma is identified. |
| Treatments for preventing food allergies improving | May 2002: Food labeling and patient education about reading labels need to be improved. |
| BREAKING NEWS AND COMMENTARY | |
|---|---|
| Blood transfusions, transplants and breast milk all linked to West Nile | October 2002: The CDC is investigating several patients who received blood and then were diagnosed with West Nile virus. |
| CDC to update DTaP guidelines in light of shortage | January 2002: Emphasize the infant dose, suspend the fourth dose for all patients and defer the fifth dose as needed. |
| Details of malaria cases in two Virginia teenagers revealed | November 2002: Cases of malaria in two teenagers underscore the importance of considering malaria in patients with fever of an unknown cause. |
| Find out the latest for your pediatric practice at the 15th Annual Infectious Diseases in Children Symposium in New York | October 2002: Will include live presentations of the “What’s Your Diagnosis?” column by James Brien, DO. |
| First case of VRSA found in Michigan | August 2002: The finding is a signal to the health care community to continue to use antibiotics wisely and judiciously. |
| Infection control official is first woman to head CDC | August 2002 |
| Influenza vaccine may not reduce secondary infections of acute OM | June 2002: In total, 417 and 376 children were randomized (2:1 ratio) to receive vaccine or placebo during the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 respiratory seasons. |
| IOM panel hears IPV, cancer debate | August 2002: The Immunization Safety Review Committee will deliberate and publish a report later this year. |
| Is it the end of an era for eradication? | December 2002: A debate is brewing within the public health arena questioning the prudence of eradication efforts. |
| Otitis media with confusion | June 2002 |
| ‘Pediatric rule’ will continue under drug safety initiative | May 2002: Several groups are suing to change the requirement that drugs for children be tested in children. |
| Refresh your acumen at the 4th Annual IDC West Symposium | May 2002 |
| Vaqta recipients may need to be reimmunized | April 2002: Some doses distributed in the past two years may not have contained the recommended amount of vaccine. |
| BUSINESS OF PRACTICE | |
|---|---|
| Federal court overturns FDA ‘Pediatric Rule’ | November 2002: Court finds the rule goes beyond the agency’s “statutory power.” |
| New safe sharps regulations: ‘slow trickle’ or immediate compliance? | March 2002: AAP says new law places too much of a financial burden too fast on pediatricians. |
| Vaccine compensation has Center for Medicare Services, AAP at odds | July 2002: The AAP is concerned private payers will pick up on the proposed change in compensation and lower payment for childhood vaccines. |
| CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM INFECTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Meningitis in infancy increases risk of long-term disabilities | January 2002: Meningitis in the neonatal period is more likely to cause developmental problems than later meningitis. |
| EMERGING DISEASES | |
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| Anthrax, one year later: On the trail of the unknown mailer | September 2002: The FBI is still looking for a suspect as public health officials move forward with plans to secure the medical infrastructure of the U.S. |
| Cat-scratch disease is more commonly found in children | May 2002: Case reports in Texas show that cat-scratch disease, while generally not severe, can occasionally be a serious zoonotic disease. |
| Early signs of Lyme disease: migrans with redness, flu-like symptoms | May 2002: The most common symptoms were low-grade fever, headache, neck stiffness, arthralgia, myalgia or fatigue. |
| Kawasaki’s disease continues to baffle pediatric specialists | August 2002: The etiology is unknown, but a timely diagnosis is crucial since early treatment can prevent serious cardiac sequelae and even death. |
| Multiple erythema migrans may be typical in Lyme disease | January 2002: The symptoms of chronic Lyme disease are nonspecific, and in Lyme infection, are accompanied by objective signs. |
| Resistant head lice lead to more missed days from school | September 2002: All infected members of the household should be treated concomitantly. |
| Treating pneumococcal infections in the era of antibiotic resistance | May 2002: Treatment of invasive or local pneumococcal infections is more complicated because of increasing antibiotic resistance. |
| GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS | |
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| CDC reports dramatic drop in foodborne illnesses over past 5 years | June 2002: The food supply is becoming safer for U.S. consumption, but there’s a long way to go to reach 2010 Healthy People objectives. |
| Misdiagnosing appendicitis has both financial and clinical costs | August 2002: Study demonstrates other sicknesses mimic appendicitis and therefore, researchers said, testing should be improved. |
| Norwalk-like viruses cause most nonbacterial gastroenteritis | August 2002: Study links pathogens to 93% of outbreaks or nonbacterial gastroenteritis. |
| Probiotics could be wave of the future for diarrhea control | October 2002: Danish study finds probiotics safe and effective in reducing duration of diarrheal illness among day care attendees. |
| Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children | August 2002: Study looks at stool samples obtained from hospitalized patients that were diagnosed with acute viral gastroenteritis in France. |
| HIV/AIDS & STDs | |
|---|---|
| Children of HIV-positive mothers may be more prone to heart complications | September 2002: Regardless of their own HIV status, infants who are born to mothers with HIV have differences in cardiac function. |
| FDA approves rapid HIV test | December 2002: Quick 20-minute results are expected to boost the numbers of Americans that will get tested. |
| Progress in preventing perinatal HIV infection | April 2002: Drug therapy drops birth rate of babies born with HIV from 19% to 3%, according to a new study. |
| INFECTIONS OF THE SKIN | |
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| AAP: Children with head lice pose little risk to fellow students | October 2002: AAP officials state in a recent report that no healthy child should miss school because of head lice. |
| Itraconazole one of several drugs effective for treating tinea capitis | July 2002: For molluscum contagiosum, look to cantharidin, potassium hydroxide and squaric acid. |
| Managing adolescent acne is part science, part art | February 2002: The pediatrician’s role in treating adolescent acne lies in identifying what type of acne the patient has and treating accordingly. |
| Skin colonization with Malassezia begins during the first days of life | April 2002: Study examined 102 infants and their mothers to answer when the yeast flora linked to cephalic pustulosis forms. |
| Skin infections in atopic dermatitis patients linked to peptide deficiency | December 2002: Cytokines may have role in suppressing immune response. |
| Take a hint from the skin when diagnosing some infectious diseases | April 2002: Dermatologic signs can be early warning for certain systemic diseases. |
| Thorough history, exam helps with difficult dermatologic diagnoses | June 2002: Although acne would be the most common diagnosis for this case, folliculitis has become more prominent in adolescents. |
| KIDNEY AND UTIs | |
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| Look at voiding habits first in UTI evaluation | December 2002: Studies indicate that the incidence of UTI rises slightly in the second year of life compared to the first year. |
| NEWS OF GENERAL PEDIATRICS | ||
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| Decline seen in risky sex among teens | November 2002 | |
| First year in U.S. critical to international adoptees | January 2002: The first 12 months in America are a catch-up period, useful for giving missed immunizations and ensuring proper development. | |
| Immigrants gave opportunity for physicians to hone diagnostic skills | January 2002: Ellis Island physicians developed a “good sixth sense” for illness. | |
| Put me in coach: let kids with chronic illness play ball | June 2002: Pediatricians can help children with chronic illness find just the right sport for them. | |
| RESIDENT ROUNDS | ||
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| Fever and ankle pain in a 4-year-old girl | February 2002: The goal of Resident Rounds is to share with our readers the wealth of clinical experience gained every month by pediatric residents and infectious disease fellows. | |
| RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS | ||
|---|---|---|
| AAP outlines follow-up management of kids with tympanostomy tubes | April 2002: New published guidelines address the timing of postoperative follow-up, hearing status assessment and otolaryngologic referral. | |
| Accurate AOM diagnosis is key to appropriate antibiotic usage | November 2002: Guidelines recently released emphasize the need to increase the accuracy diagnosis. | |
| Antibiotic prescribing tip: know resistance levels in your community | February 2002: Resistance levels change depending on the area where you practice. | |
| AOM microbiology similar for both younger and older infants | September 2002: Study shows antibiotic resistance may already be present at an early age. | |
| Duration of illness is key to recognizing bacterial sinusitis | November 2002: Imaging studies of sinusitis remain a controversial issue. | |
| Finding cause of recurrent pneumonia may require imaging studies | March 2002: Immunodeficiency should be considered in children with severe/recurrent infections, sinusitis or otitis media. | |
| How to refuse antibiotics and still keep your patients | June 2002: Practical advice for dealing with patients who demand antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections. | |
| No differences found with early, late tympanostomy tube placement | November 2002: Effects on cognition, language or speech were the same at age 4 as they were at age 3. | |
| Oral oseltamivir prophylaxis may prevent influenza transmission | February 2002: Postexposure prophylaxis with oseltamivir may help prevent the spread of influenza virus to other household members. | |
| Panel endorses tympanocentesis for AOM clinical trials | August 2002: While initial tympanocentesis for trials was recommended, some panel members disagreed on the issue of “double taps.” | |
| Panel issues consensus guidelines for AOM | September 2002: Pediatricians urged to identify which infections are bacterial and would benefit from antibiotics. | |
| Pneumococcal vaccine may protect against otitis | November 2002: Study finds that nearly all penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae strains in young babies are in vaccine serogroups. | |
| Premature infants should be targeted for RSV prophylaxis | March 2002: Clinicians should also consider using immune globulin or monoclonal antibody prophylaxis in premature infants or infants and children with chronic lung disease. | |
| Researchers try to pin down rhinovirus-staphylococci interaction | December 2002: A study team from Wake Forest University finds that the “cloud adult” phenomenon does exist. | |
| Search goes on for common cold cure | June 2002: Interferons, receptor blockers, 3C protease inhibitors and capsid-binding agents have all been tried – still no cure. | |
| That flu-like illness may not be influenza after all | October 2002: Several diseases can mimic influenza in the winter, complicating the management of children with lower respiratory tract infections. | |
| SYSTEMIC INFECTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Fluconazole may be effective in preventing neonatal fungal infections | March 2002: Study researcher says preventing infection greatly benefits preterm infants. |
| Penicillin prophylaxis beneficial to children with sickle cell disease | October 2002: Prophylaxis may benefit younger and older children alike; pneumococcal vaccine should also be given to infants and young children. |
| THERAPEUTICS | |
|---|---|
| A dose of communication may be more effective than antibiotics | December 2002: Pediatricians urged not to overuse antibiotics, because of the growing number of bacteria that are developing resistance. |
| VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES | |
|---|---|
| ACIP recommends against mass smallpox vaccination | July 2002 |
| Action needed on all fronts to prevent future vaccine shortages | December 2002: Vaccine shortages have been talked about for well over a year now. Has the government found a solution? |
| Adjustment in varicella vaccine schedule may be needed | October 2002: Separate studies have found an increased risk for breakthrough varicella in infants immunized early. |
| Better tests to detect congenital syphilis in newborns | July 2002: Two new blood tests detect either neonatal antibodies to the syphilis bacterium or the bacterium’s DNA. |
| Burton opts not to subpoena Vaccine Safety Datalink records | June 2002: The subpoena could have endangered patient privacy and threatened the viability of the vaccine safety system. |
| CDC posts online summary of major changes in recommendations | April 2002: The ACIP “General Recommendations on Immunization” were last published in 1994. |
| College students in dorms should consider meningococcal vaccine | September 2002: Studies have found that dorm-dwelling college students are at a slightly elevated risk of meningococcal disease. |
| Give varicella vaccine at same time as MMR vaccine or wait 30 days | January 2002: Varicella vaccine can be given simultaneously with most vaccines on the childhood immunization schedule. |
| Immunizations not harmful to immune systems | March 2002: The IOM report says there is no need for a federal review of the schedule for infant immunizations at this time. |
| Meningococcal C vaccine program answers up in United Kingdom | December 2002: How did a vaccine that was called for by the public and passed through licensure without evidence of efficacy perform in the real world? |
| Not all providers following ACIP interim use guidelines | April 2002: Despite interim recommendations for vaccine usage during shortages, not all providers changed administration practices. |
| Pediatric flu vaccine recommendation looks unlikely, according to ACIP | November 2002: The panel requested additional safety and efficacy data, which could take two to three years to collect. |
| Physicians are and public health officials over vaccine shortages | March 2002: The United States had a solid, effective system to deliver vaccines to children; lately the network has started to crack. This report looks at why this happened and what can be done about it. |
| Physicians would change fever management of PCV7 recipients | January 2002: Physicians would order fewer tests and give fewer antibiotics in vaccinated children. |
| The real story on vaccines: much more good is done than harm | July 2002: People who take exemptions from vaccines can pose a hazard to themselves and the community at large. |
| Routine influenza vaccinations for young children: is it possible? | February 2002 |
| Solutions sought for all parties involved in vaccine supply problems | October 2002: Federal report on vaccine supply calls for stockpiles, streamlined review and improved communication. |
| Some states have modified their school immunization laws | September 2002: The end of the shortages came too late for some states to undo modifications for this year. |
| Thimerosal lawsuits threaten viability of VICP program | July 2002: “Medical monitoring” lawsuits filed in state courts allege damage from thimerosal-containing vaccines. |
| Using vaccines in the time of shortages | June 2002: The ACIP has made a number of revisions to routine use guidelines for use when vaccines are in short supply. |
| Would the proposed strategies have prevented shortages? | March 2002: An expert panel puts the five strategies to the test against real-world scenarios. |
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